Draft-equalizer.



, Patented lune l9-, I900. H. FREARK. I DRAFT EHUALIZER.

(Application filed July 24, 1899.) (No Model.)

Wif/"IEEEE Ive/vimnz NORRIS FETERG coJrnoTo-umcu wuumcron o c UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY J. FREARK, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

DRAFT-EQUALIZER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,991, dated June 19,

Application filed July 24, 1899. Serial llo. 724.913. (No model-l useful Improvements in Draft-Equalizers, of

which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a complete specification.

My invention relates generally to draftequalizers for three horses as applied to any vehicle or machine drawn by a draft-pole, but particularly to equalizers for three horses as applied to farm and freight wagons,and has for its objects, in addition to equalizing the barden, the obviation of lateral draft and also of contact on the part of the levers with the front Wheels of the vehicle,a1l existing contrivances being open to objection on both these accounts. I attain these results by a mechanism which consists in the combination, with the doubletree, of an adjustable extensionlever, a second doubletree, a bar pivoted to the draft-pole backward of the doubletree, a side-draft brace operating between the two latter, and a system of connecting-pieces joining the ends of the bar with the combinationlever and the outer end of the brace, this end of the brace with the second double-tree, and this second doubletree with the otherwisefree end of the extended doubletree, as will be more fully specified hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a top view in position of a complete equalizer embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side View of the jointed connecting-piece, showing the position relatively of the brace and showing also in a detached condition the loop for hanging, by inverting the jointed strap J K, the second doubletree when for any reason the equalizer must be put beneath the pole. A represents an ordinary draft-pole; B, an

ordinary doubletree; O, the lever, extending this doubletree; D, the second doubletree; E, the rear bar; G, the brace; H, a hammerstrap long enough to cover both rear bar and the combination-lever; I, K, J, and F, the connecting-pieces, joining, respectively, one end of the rear bar with one end of the combination-lever, the other end with the brace, the latter with the second doubletree, and the last with the otherwise-free end of the combination-lever.

L represents the loop, which suspends the doubletree D from the short or free end of the combination-lever BC Whenever the equalizer is put beneath the pole and is otherwise not used.

The doubletree B is pivoted to the draft are used. To one end of this is attached, by

means of a clevis, the lever O, with a single-.

tree at its outer end and in such a manner that its other end rests on the draft-pole or hounds, where it is held in position by the second doubletree D, which rests just above and loosely upon. it. The barE-is pivoted to the draft-pole some twenty inches, more or less, back of the regular doubletree B. The bent draft-brace G is pivoted to the pole at its shorter end just back of or preferably just over the doubletree B and by the same pivot by which the latter is pivoted to the pole. Pivotally connecting one end of bar E with the combination-lever B O is a link I, while link K connects the other end of bar E with the outer end of brace G, the link J the outer end of brace G with the middle point of doubletree D, and the link F the middle point of D with the otherwise-free end of the combination-lever B C. If for any reason the equalizer must be put beneath the pole, the jointed strap J K is inverted-i. a, turned upside down-and L is attached to J for the suspension of D beneath B C, while the remaining parts take positions beneath the pole correspondin g entirely to their positions when used above.

It will be observed that O is provided with a series of holes, so that it can be lengthened or shortened, according as more or less efficient power is desired from the animal hitched to its end; also, that it is in front of B, thus securing some four or live inches more of backward an'd-forward play without interfering with the front wheels of the vehicle; also, that it is reversible- 6., that it can, by making the necessary changes in the connecting-links, be attached to the other end of B, so as to accommodate the vehicle to an animal that may work-better on one side than on the other or to accommodate the animals to a given Vehicle, piece of machinery, or condition of the highways. It will be observed also that the primary function of F, which is pole in the same place as when but two horses theintensity-of the'pullbeing regulated by the adjustment already-mentioned. The part,

however, of which'the primary and only function is to obviate side draft is the bent brace G, of which the. longer or outer end is also provided with a series of holes for adjustment. It will be observed that when a forward pull is exerted upon D the jointed strap J K will tend to a straightenout in the direction of the po1e,thu s through the'medium of G exerting a lateral push against the pole at the very point at which the push is exertedin the opposite direction by the mechanism to which the third horse is hitched, the intensity of'the push again being regulated by the adjustment already mentioned. It will be observed in addition that both parts of J,which is double, Fig. 1, aswell vas F, are above B,'the lower part resting onB, thus causing the weight of D, which moves freely between the ends of J,

of holding the latter, with its extension, in a is put beneath .thepole the weight of D will,

through the medium of L, rest at the samepoint. It will be observed, moreover, that the strap H extends over both E and its 'extension 0, thus helping tohold the pole endof O in position and furnishing facilities for the easy, backward-and-forward movement of- D.

From the foregoing description and the laws of levers it willrappear-that whenever,'by reason of the application of a greater amount 3 of power to the doubletree D or-the lever B I Y clai min the presence of 0, the one or the other is moved forward the movement is at once communicated to the other in like intensity in the opposite directionandwithout interfering with the wheels of the vehicle, the balance of power, both forward and lateral, beingregulatedby adj usting the extension-lever .C, the brace G, and

the link m It is obvious that slightvariations in construction, such as the substitution of a'onepiece lever for the combination-lever B C,

may beresorted to without materially departing from thescope of the invention or sacrificing its principal advantages.

Having thus described my invention, I

'1. The combination with adoubletree, B,

;of a reversible and adjustable extension-lever, 0, making a draft-lever for three animalsh 2. The combination of'a draft-pole, a bar, E, pivoted thereto; a doubletree, B, with an adjustable. extension-lever, C, cooperating therewith; abrace, G, pivoted at one end to the draft-pole above or just back of the doubletree, B; a link, I, pivotally connecting one end of the bar, E, with one end of the double- :tree, B; a link, K, pivotally connecting the 1 r tocome upon the free end of B,with the efiect 1;

. horizontal position, and that if the equalizer other endof. the bar, E, with the'other, or

' outer, end of the brace, G; a link, J, pivotally connecting theouter end of the brace,

. G, with the middle point of the'dou'bletree,

D, and an adjustable connection, F, pivotally uniting the doubletree, D,with the other end of the donbletree, B, allarranged and located as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature two witnesses.

HENRY ,J. FREARK.

Witnesses: B. H. LUERS,

D. SCHWENGELS. 

